Chest drainage unit shoulder strap with quick-disconnect feature

ABSTRACT

A mechanism for transporting a medical device, wherein the medical device may be quickly and/or conveniently disconnected from a patient or a member of a healthcare provider&#39;s medical staff transporting the medical device. Also, a method of transporting a medical device, wherein the method provides for the quick and/or convenient detachment of the medical device from a patient or medical staff member transporting the medical device.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to components, systems, andmethods for transporting a medical device. More particularly, thepresent invention relates to such components, systems, methods that mayconveniently be disconnected from a medical device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Medical devices are often too fragile, sensitive, bulky, and/or heavy tobe conveniently transported without the use of wheels, rollers, or otherattachments. However, some medical devices are sufficiently robust,small, and lightweight to be conveniently picked up by, for example, amedical staff member of a healthcare facility. In fact, some medicaldevices are sufficiently portable that they may be attached or connectedto and carried by a patient being monitored and/or cared for by themedical device. For example, some currently available medical devicesare connected to shoulder straps that form a loop beginning at themedical device, extending across a patient's chest, shoulder, and back,and ending back at the medical device.

Once attached to a patient, a medical device having the above-mentionedshoulder strap connected thereto is often difficult to remove from thepatient. For example, when a patient is lying down in a hospital bed, aportion of the strap will be wedged between the patient's back and thehospital bed. Thus, the medical device may not be removed withoutforcing the patient's back off of the bed, which may cause the patientdiscomfort or which may wake a sleeping patient.

At least in view of the above, it would be desirable to providemechanisms for conveniently removing a medical device from a patient,medical staff member or other person to which the medical device isattached. It would also be desirable to provide methods for convenientlyremoving a medical device from a patient, medical staff member or otherperson to which the medical device is attached.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The foregoing needs are met, to a great extent, by the present inventionwherein, in a first embodiment thereof, a mechanism for transporting amedical device is provided. The mechanism includes a receiving portionconnected to a medical device. The mechanism also includes a releasableengaging portion including a rigid component and configured toreleasably engage the receiving portion. In addition, the mechanismfurther includes an accommodating portion connected to the engagingportion and configured to accommodate a user transporting the medicaldevice when the engaging portion is engaged with the receiving portion.

In accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, amethod of transporting a medical device is provided. The method includesconnecting a receiving portion to a medical device. The method alsoincludes releasably engaging the receiving portion with an engagingportion including a rigid component and having an accommodating portionconnected thereto. In addition, the method further includes transportingthe medical device using the accommodating portion when the engagingportion is engaged with the receiving portion.

In accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention, anothermechanism for transporting a medical device is provided. This othermechanism includes connecting means for connecting to a medical device.This other mechanism also includes engaging means for releasablyengaging the connecting means, wherein the engaging means includes arigid component. In addition, this other mechanism also includesaccommodating means for accommodating a user transporting the medicaldevice when the engaging means is engaged with the connecting means,wherein the accommodating means is connected to the engaging means.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, certain embodiments of theinvention in order that the detailed description thereof herein may bebetter understood, and in order that the present contribution to the artmay be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional embodimentsof the invention that will be described below and which will form thesubject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of theinvention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited in its application to the details of construction and to thearrangements of the components set forth in the following description orillustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of embodiments inaddition to those described and of being practiced and carried out invarious ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology andterminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for thepurpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conceptionupon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basisfor the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carryingout the several purposes of the present invention. It is important,therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalentconstructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope ofthe present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a mechanism for transporting amedical device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates another perspective view of the mechanism fortransporting a medical device illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a mechanism for transporting amedical device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates another perspective view of the mechanism fortransporting a medical device illustrated in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention will now be described with reference to the drawingfigures, in which like reference numerals refer to like partsthroughout. FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a mechanism 10 fortransporting a medical device 12 according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

In FIG. 1, the medical device 12 is a chest drainage unit that, forexample, may be used to evacuate air and/or fluid from a patient's chestcavity. Such evacuation helps to re-establish normal intrathoracicpressure in the patient's chest cavity and also facilitates there-expansion of the patient's lungs to restore normal breathingdynamics. However, upon practicing one or more embodiments of thepresent invention, one of skill in the art will appreciate that,according to other embodiments of the present invention, the chestdrainage unit illustrated in FIG. 1 may be replaced with another medicalor, alternatively, a non-medical device.

The mechanism 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a receiving portion 14that is connected to the medical device 12. In the embodiment of thepresent invention illustrated in FIG. 1, the receiving portion 14includes a substantially closed loop of material that is connected to anouter surface 16 of the casing 17 of the medical device 12. Often, thereceiving portion 14 is made from the same material that the casing 17of the medical device 12 is made from. Also, according to certainembodiments of the present invention, the receiving portion 14 is formeddirectly into or as part of the outer surface 16 of the casing 17.Commonly, the receiving portion 14 and/or the casing 17 of the medicaldevice 12 is made from a hard plastic, a metal, or a metal alloy.

FIG. 2 illustrates another perspective view of the mechanism fortransporting the medical device illustrated in FIG. 1. As illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2, the mechanism 10 also includes a releasable engagingportion 18 that is configured to releasably engage the receiving portion14. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the releasable engaging portion 18,according to certain embodiments of the present invention, takes theform of a clip. The clip 18 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes anarcuate portion 20 that extends through the receiving portion 14 and amovable flexible portion 22 that abuts the arcuate portion 20 when nopressure is being applied to the flexible portion 22. When sufficientforce or pressure is applied to the flexible portion 22, the flexibleportion 22 is moved away from the arcuate portion 20 and toward theinterior portion 23 of the clip.

As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art upon practicing one ormore embodiments of the present invention, the releasable engagingportion 18 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 may quickly and conveniently bedisconnected from the receiving portion 14 on the medical device 12 byapplying pressure against the flexible portion 22 and then pulling theentire releasable engaging portion 18 away from the receiving portion14.

The mechanism 10 for transporting the medical device 12 illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2 also includes an accommodating portion 24 that isconnected to the engaging portion 18. Typically, the accommodatingportion 24 is configured to accommodate a user (e.g., a patient or amember of a medical facility's staff) transporting the medical device 12when the engaging portion 18 is engaged with the receiving portion 14.

In the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2,the accommodating portion 24 includes a flexible portion that takes theform of a strap. The strap forms a substantially closed loop and isattached to the releasable engaging portion 18 by a portion of the strapthat passes through a slot 26 included at one end of the engagingportion 18.

The strap used in the accommodating portion 24 illustrated in FIGS. 1and 2 may include, for example, a flexible polymer, a fabric, a webbing,and/or any other flexible material. According to certain embodiments ofthe present invention, the loop formed by the strap in the accommodatingportion 24 is large enough to fit around a patient's or other user'sshoulder. According to other embodiments, the loop is large enough toextend, for example, from the medical device 12, across a patient'schest, over the patient's shoulder, across the patient's back, and backto the medical device 12.

According to certain embodiments of the present invention, the size ofthe loop formed in the accommodating portion 24 is adjustable. In orderto accommodate such adjustability, according to certain embodiments ofthe present invention, the accommodating portion 24 includes a strapwhose ends pass through a buckle 28 that is also included as a part ofthe accommodating portion 24. According to some of these embodiments, inorder to adjust the size of the loop formed in the accommodating portion24, longer or shorter portions of the strap are allowed to pass throughthe buckle 28. As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art uponpracticing embodiments of the present invention, devices other than abuckle may be used to adjust the loop illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. Forexample, a clip may be used to hold one section of a strap making up theaccommodating portion 24 over another section of the strap.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate perspective views of a mechanism fortransporting a medical device 30 according to another embodiment of thepresent invention. The mechanism 30 illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4includes a two-piece engaging portion 32. More specifically, theengaging portion 32 includes a female portion of a buckle 34 and a maleportion of a buckle 36. In FIG. 3, the female portion 34 and the maleportion 36 are disengaged and, in FIG. 4, the female portion 34 and themale portion 36 are engaged.

The mechanism 30 illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 may be used to transport amedical device 38 such as, for example, a chest drainage unit. However,the mechanism 30 may also be used to transport non-medical devices.

The mechanism 30 illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 includes a receivingportion 40 that is connected to the medical device 38. In many respects,the receiving portion 40 illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 is analogous tothe receiving portion 14 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. For example, thereceiving portion 40, according to certain embodiments of the presentinvention, includes a rigid plastic, a metal, or a metallic alloy andmay be built directly into the medical device 38.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the above-discussed female portion ofthe buckle 34 is connected to the receiving portion 40 through the useof a loop 42 that extends from the female portion 34, through thereceiving portion 40, and back to the female portion 34. The loop 42 maybe made, for example, from a strap or webbing. However, according tocertain embodiments of the present invention, the female portion 34 isbuilt directly into the casing 44 of the medical device 38.

The male portion of the buckle 36 illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 includesa slot 45 through which a portion of an accommodating portion 46 of themechanism 30 passes. In a manner analogous to the accommodating portion24 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the accommodating portion 46 istypically made from a flexible material. Also, the size of the loopformed in the accommodating portion 46 may be adjusted by the use of,for example, a buckle, a clip, or any other mechanisms or method thatwill become apparent to one of skill in the art upon practicing one ormore embodiments of the present invention.

One of skill in the art will appreciate, upon practicing one or moreembodiments of the present invention, that the male portion 36releasably engages the female portion 34 and thus allows theaccommodating portion 46 of the mechanism 30 to be quickly disconnectedfrom the medical device 38. More specifically, a user may disengage themale portion 36 from the female portion 34 by pushing the sides 31, 33of the male portion 36 together while pulling on the male portion 36. Assuch, the medical device 38 may be detached from, for example, apatient, without necessitating the mechanism 30 also being detached fromthe patient.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method oftransporting a medical device is provided. This method typicallyincludes connecting a receiving portion (e.g., the receiving portion 14illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 or the receiving portion 40 illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4) to a medical device 12. However, according to certainembodiments of the present invention, the receiving portion may be builtdirectly into the medical device. For example, the receiving portion maybe formed in the outer casing of the medical device.

According to certain embodiments of the present invention, theabove-discussed connecting step includes connecting a substantiallyclosed loop to a surface of the medical device. Typically, thissubstantially closed loop is formed of metals, metal alloys, and/or hardplastics. However, non-rigid, substantially closed loops may also beused.

According to certain embodiments of the present invention, theabove-discussed connecting step includes connecting the receivingportion to a chest drainage unit. However, according to otherembodiments, this method may also be implemented using either othermedical devices or using non-medical devices.

The above-discussed method also typically includes releasably engagingthe above-mentioned receiving portion with an engaging portion having anaccommodating portion connected thereto. When implemented using themechanism 10 illustrated in FIGS. I and 2, this releasably engaging stepmay include choosing the engaging portion 18 to include a clip. Whenimplemented using the mechanism 30 illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, thisreleasably engaging step may be implemented by engaging a first portionof a buckle 34 with a second portion of a buckle 36. However, other waysof implementing this step are also within the scope of the presentinvention.

The above-discussed method also typically includes transporting themedical device using the accommodating portion when the engaging portionis engaged with the receiving portion. This transporting step may beimplemented, for example, by choosing the accommodating portion toinclude a flexible portion that forms a substantially closed loop. Then,the loop may be placed, for example, around a patient's or medicalstaffer's shoulder or torso. According to certain embodiments of thepresent invention, the above-discussed method also includes adjusting adimension (e.g., the sized) of the loop. This may be done, for example,using the buckle 28 illustrated in FIG. 1 or a clip, as discussed above.

The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from thedetailed specification, and thus, it is intended by the appended claimsto cover all such features and advantages of the invention which fallwithin the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, sincenumerous modifications and variations will readily occur to thoseskilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to theexact construction and operation illustrated and described, andaccordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents maybe resortedto, falling within the scope of the invention.

1. A mechanism for transporting a medical device, the mechanismcomprising: a receiving portion connected to a medical device; areleasable engaging portion including a rigid component and configuredto releasably engage the receiving portion; and an accommodating portionconnected to the engaging portion and configured to accommodate a usertransporting the medical device when the engaging portion is engagedwith the receiving portion.
 2. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein thereceiving portion comprises a substantially closed loop connected to asurface of the medical device.
 3. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein themedical device comprises a chest drainage unit.
 4. The mechanism ofclaim 1, wherein the engaging portion comprises a clip.
 5. The mechanismof claim 1, wherein the receiving portion comprises a first portion of abuckle and wherein the engaging portion comprises a second portion of abuckle.
 6. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein the accommodating portioncomprises a flexible portion and forms a substantially closed loop. 7.The mechanism of claim 6, wherein the loop is adjustable.
 8. A method oftransporting a medical device, the method comprising: connecting areceiving portion to a medical device; releasably engaging the receivingportion with an engaging portion including a rigid component and havingan accommodating portion connected thereto; and transporting the medicaldevice using the accommodating portion when the engaging portion isengaged with the receiving portion.
 9. The method of claim 8, whereinthe connecting step comprises connecting a substantially closed loop toa surface of the medical device.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein theconnecting step comprises connecting the receiving portion to a chestdrainage unit.
 11. The method of claim 8, wherein the releasablyengaging step comprises choosing the engaging portion to include a clip.12. The method of claim 8, wherein the releasably engaging stepcomprises engaging a first portion of a buckle with a second portion ofthe buckle.
 13. The method of claim 8, wherein the transporting stepcomprises choosing the accommodating portion to include a flexibleportion that forms a substantially closed loop.
 14. The method of claim13, further comprising: adjusting a dimension of the loop.
 15. Amechanism for transporting a medical device, the mechanism comprising:connecting means for connecting to a medical device; engaging means forreleasably engaging the connecting means, wherein the engaging meansincludes a rigid component; and accommodating means for accommodating auser transporting the medical device when the engaging means is engagedwith the connecting means, wherein the accommodating means is connectedto the engaging means.
 16. The mechanism of claim 15, wherein theconnecting means comprises a substantially closed loop connected to asurface of the medical device.
 17. The mechanism of claim 15, whereinthe medical device comprises a chest drainage unit.
 18. The mechanism ofclaim 15, wherein the engaging means comprises a clip.
 19. The mechanismof claim 15, wherein the connecting means comprises a first portion of abuckle and wherein the engaging means comprises a second portion of thebuckle.
 20. The mechanism of claim 15, wherein the accommodating meanscomprises a flexible portion and forms a substantially closed adjustableloop.